Bollywood localization
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This document discusses intertextuality and localization in Bollywood films. It provides examples of how Bollywood films borrow elements from other films and cultures but localize them for Indian audiences. The key elements of Bollywood films are described as being influenced by Indian epics, theater traditions, world cinema, and music television, with popular genres following indigenous aesthetics and artistic genres following Western realist aesthetics. Common Bollywood themes are then outlined, such as melodrama, morality, family, women, and an aesthetic of interruption through songs and digressions.
Bollywood localization
- 1. Intertextuality in Bollywood Films
- 5. Localization What makes a Japanese film Japanese? What makes an American film American? What makes an Indian film Indian?
- 6. Localization A form of intertextual play in which systematic changes are introduced to a text intended to make it more meaningful to local consumers.
- 7. WHAT ARE THE KEY ELEMENTS OF BOLLYWOOD FILM?
- 8. Influences • Indian epics – Mahabharata – Ramayana • Theater traditions – Classical – Folk – Parsi • World cinema – Hollywood • Music TV – MTV – Star TV
- 9. Genres Follow indigenous aesthetics Popular Offer idealistic/mythic portraits Aimed at local audiences Follow Western „realist‟ aesthetics Artistic Offer socially realistic portraits Aimed at foreign „art‟ circuit
- 10. Bollywood Themes • Melodrama • Morality • Caste & Community • Family • Women • Aesthetic of Interruption
- 11. Melodrama A narrative form characterized by – the sharp delineation of good and evil, – the use of coincidence, – emotional hyperbole, – the privileging of moral conflicts over psychological ones. (Ganti 2004: 135)
- 12. Morality • Good vs. Evil • Order vs. Chaos • Moral order and social order (dharma) • “committed to the maintenance of the status quo” (Gokulsing and Dissanayake 2004: 20)
- 13. Communities • Hindus • Muslims • Sikhs • Christians • Jains • Parsis • Buddhists
- 14. Caste
- 15. Varnas Varna Gloss Purity Brahmin Priestly caste Kșatriya Ruling caste Vaisya Trading caste Șudra Servants and laborers Pollution Dalit Untouchables
- 16. VARNA JATI FAMILIES INDIVIDUALS Purity Brahmin Kshatriya Brahmin Thakur 3 64 ? 450 Vaisya Sonar 1 5 Nonias 10 200 Kahars 4 ? Gonds 2 10 Kandus 2 ? Ahirs 15 ? Şudra Nais 3 40 Baris 1 4 Lohars 8 50 Kohars 6 25 Barais 3 ? Kalwars 2 10 Telis 10 40 Dhobis 1 4 Dharikars 1 4 Khatiks 3 10 Bhars 4 20 Dalit Musahars 1 15 Chamars 37 350 Dafalis 4 16 Bhats 1 6 Pollution Dhunias 4 20 Helas 2 ?
- 17. Family THE JOINT FAMILY IDEAL TYPE • Patrilineal • Nurturing, self-sacrificing mother • Patriarchal • Generous Father • Patrilocal household • Dutiful wife/daughter-in- • Marriage joins two law/sister-in-law families • Dutiful son/son-in- • Family constructed by law/brother-in-law relations of mutual service • Modest daughter/sister and sacrifice • Strong, wise elder brothers • Household gods • Smart, affectionate younger brothers
- 18. Women • Chaste and self-giving – Sita • Sweet and alluring – Radha • Avenging Goddesses – Durga
- 19. Mothers • The most important person in Indian family life • Juncture of moral and social values
- 20. Rituals • Samskāra (40) – Pre-birth – Birth – Coming of Age (upanayana) – Marriage • Arrangement • Engagement • Wedding – Death • Puja • Holidays
- 21. Aesthetic of Interruption • Digressions • Interludes • Songs • Love scenes An aesthetic of interruption refers to this practice of continually distracting the viewer and delaying the development of the plot. Deferring the climax builds anticipation and enjoyment (Gopalan 2002).
- 22. Best Current Book on Bollywood: Ganti, Tejaswini. 2012. Producing Bollywood:Inside the Contemporary Bollywood Film Industry. Duke University Press
- 23. References • Ganti, Tejaswini 2004 Bollywood: A Guidebook to Popular Hindi Cinema. Routledge. • Gokulsing and Dissanayake 2004 Popular Indian Cinema. • Gopalan, L 2002 Cinema of Interruptions: Action Genres in Contemporary Indian Cinema. British Film Institute.